Automatic calf-feeder.



Patented Aug, 27, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Ziiweases crow, n,

M. NEUMANN.

AUTOMATIC CALF FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7.1916.

1,276,.M6. Patented Aug. 27,1918.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. Waf fi amanzz I 35/ 4! fifiarkey;

M. NEUMANN.

AUTOMATIC CALF FEEDER.

'APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1915 Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3' m: mynms FLYERS co.. swam-1.1mm. WA s-uusnm. c.

anion.

MATH NEUMANN, OF BUFFALO, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC GALE-FEEDER.

Application filed June 7, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATH NEUMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Wright and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Calf Feeders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic calf feeders; and, to this end, it consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a front elevation of the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fi 3 is an end elevation, some parts heing s own in different positions by means of broken lines;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view, with some parts sectioned on the line 44 of Fig. l, on an enlarged scale, some parts being in Fig. 1, and some parts being diagram matically illustrated by means of broken lines;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in section taken on the irregular line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a portion of the frame and mechanism for supporting one of the drinking pails, some parts being shown in different as positions by means of broken lines; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view in section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2. V

The numeral 1 indicates two laterally spaced upright posts or timbers, which may as or may not be a part of a barn structure,

and from which the feeding apparatus is either directly or indirectly supported.

A pair of parallel arms 2 pivotally secured by pins 3, one to each of the timbers 1 for to vertical swinging movement, is supported at their free ends from the timbers 1 by toggle links 4. To give the arms a better bearing on the timbers 1. the same are bifurcated and the prongs thereof embrace said timbers as with the Pins extending horizontally,

Specification of Letters Patent.

shown in different positions from that shown Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

Serial No. 102,259.

through the prongs and timbers. The free ends of the inner arms of the links 4 are pivotally secured to the timbers 1, above the arms 2, and the free ends of the outer arms of said links are pivotally secured to blocks 5, slidably mounted on the arms 2.

Counterweights 6 for the feeding apparatus are secured by cables 7, one to each of the pivot joints connecting the arms of the links 4. The intermediate portions of the cables 85 7 run over guide sheaves S, journaled in the upper end portions of the timbers 1. These counterweights 6 tend to buckle the links 4 and raise the outer end of the arms 2, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3. Each sliding block 5 is held against inward sliding I movement on the respective arm 2 and in diflerent longitudinal adjustments thereon by a cotter 9, passed through a transverse passageway formed in said block and 76 through any one of a multiplicity of passageways 10 in said arm.

The arms of each toggle link 4 are held in alinement, one with the other, or in different angular adjustments, with respect to 80 each other, by a notched segment 11 and 00- operating lock bolt 12, secured, one to each of the arms of the respective link 4. These lock bolts12 are adapted to be slid endwisc into and out of interlocking engagement with the notches in the lock segments 11. By angularly adjusting the arms of the toggle links 4, the outer ends of the arms 2 may be supported in different vertical adjustments. V

Located between the arms 2 and supported therefrom is a horizontal rectangular frame 13, having a longitudinal central bar 14 and is suitably braced to give the required strength thereto. A pair of axially alined trunnions 15 are rigidly secured to and project outward from the central portions of the sides of the frame 13 and are journaled in the sliding blocks 5. Secured to one of the trunnions 15, is a crank 16 by which the frame 13 may be turned on its trunnions 15. The frame 13 is normally locked in a horizontal position by a lock disk 17 and cooperating dogs 18, arranged to enter circumferentially spaced peripheral notches in the disk 17. The lock disk 17 is rigidly secured to the trunnions 15 to which the crank 16 is secured and the lock dog 18 is spring-pressed and pivotally secured to a lock segment 19 secured to the adjacent sliding block 5 and having circumferentially spaced peripheral lock notches.

Two drinking pails '0 are removably held, each in a skeleton b. 3 21, pivotally suspended at diametrically opposite points from the prongs of a bifurcated lever or scale beam Each scale beam 22 is inter mediately fulcrumed to the front bar of the frame 13 and the bar 1%. by a pair of bolts 23 mounted in said bars and the prongs of the levers (See Fig. On. the free end of each lever is a sliding weight or poise 2 adjustably secured in different longitudi-nal adjustments thereon by spring catches 25, which interlock with longitudinally spaced notches 26 formed in the upper edges of said levers. The free ends of the levers 22 are also graduated to indicated pounds and fractions thereof, for cooperation with the weights 2%. hen the drink ing pails 20 are empty, the weights 2'-l hold the same raised, as indicated at the left with respect to Fig. l.

The drinking pails 20 are detachably held in the baskets 21 by spring latches 27 secured to said pails and arranged to interlock with the top bands of the baskets 21. The ends of the levers 22, on which the weights 2%: are mounted, work in vertical guides 28 secured to the front bar of the frame 13 and are automatically secured in a raised position by spring latches 29, pivoted to the guides 28 and having cam surfaces 30, with which the levers 22 engage, during their upward movement, and cam the latches 29 out of the path of movement of said levers. After the levers have passed the latches 29, springs 81 return the latches to their normal positions and prevent return movement of the levers and hold the drinking pails 20 in their lowermost positions. The latches 29 may be moved into releasingpositions and held in such positions, at will, by a rock shaft journaled in bearings on the frame 18, and having a crank 34 arranged to enter in its extreme positions a pair of vertically spaced notches in a lock plate 35 secured to the frame 1. Upwardly project;- ing fingers 36 are rigidly secured to and project upward from the rock shaft These lingers 36 project through elongated openings '3? formed integral with the latches 9, and normally permit free movemeat of the latches to and from. operative positions. lVhen the crank 34 is set in the uppermost notch of the lock plate 35,'the latches'29 are held by the fingers 36 in releasing positions.

i-rn upper=trough38 and a lower trough 39=are supported above and from the frame 3 on legs 40. Milk or other liquid food to be fed to the calves is poured into the and distributed thereby into the 1g pails 20. Two ports 4:1 are formed in the front side of the trough 38, at the bottom thereof, and arranged to discharge, one into each of the pails 20, over a spout 12 secured to the trough 38. Each port all may be closed by a flap valve d3, working on the inside of the trough 38 and secured to one end of the shaft 44- journaled in beau ings to on the trough 38. The free end of the shaft $1- is bent to form a crank 46, connected by a link 4:? to the underlying lever 22, relatively close to its fulcrum, but vonthe end of said lever to which the weight 2% is secured. The coiniections between the levers 22 and valves 43 are such as to hold the valves l8 open, when the buckets .20 are in their raised positions.

The liquid in the trough 38 may be drained into the trough 39 through a port :lS normally closed by a flap valve; 49, pivoted to the bottom of the trough 38and having an upwardly projecting finger piece 50, by whichthe valve 4C9 may be opened, at will. A leaf spring 51 secured to the trough 38, bears against the finger piece 50 and yieldin 'ly holds the valve 19 closed. in one end of the trough 39, to wit, the left, with respect to Fig; 1, is a drain spout and the bottom of the trough 39 is inclined toward this spout.

Suspended from the trunnions 15, for swinging movement in vertical planes is a pair of arms 53 supporting, at their lower ends, a trough 5% for holding meal or other dry food. This trough 5% is provided, at its ends, with a pair of axially alined Strunnions 55 journaled in said arms. The arms are locked against swinging movement, with respect to the'frame 13, by a latch 56 slidably mounted on the "ight hand arm 53,

lie

respective arm A coiled spring 61 sur- I rounds the link 59 and is compressed between the latch 56 and bearing 60. This spring 61 yieldingly holds the latch 56 inter: locked with the lock segment 19.

The latches 56 undo? are moved into releasing positions by the following connections. A lever (32'is fulcrumedonitheear wall of the'trough -54, at the longitudinal center thereof, and is intermediately connected by a long dink 63 to =ono end of a shipper lever 6%, intermediate'ly fulorume'd on a b'earing'65,.- secured to the right hand end of the etrough5 l, withrespect .to 1. The other end of .the shipper lever 61- bifurcated and the-prongs thereof work in one of two annular grooves formed in a hub 66, slidably mounted on the adjacent trunnion 55. One end of a bell crank lever 67 works in the other groove of the hub 66 and is fulcrumed at 68 to the adjacent arm 53. A link 69 connects the other end of the bell crank lever 67 to the latch 57. A coiled spring is compressed between the latch 57 and bell crank lever 67 and yieldingly holds said latch interlocked with the lock segment 58.

Operation.

The operation of the above described invention may be briefly described as follows Milk or other liquid food to be fed to the calves is poured into the trough 38, at which time the ports 41 are opened and the two pails 20 held in their raised positions by the weights 24. As the milk is poured into the trough 38, part thereof flows through the ports 41, over the spouts 42 and into the pails 20. As the pails 20 are filled with milk, the weight thereof overcomes the weights 24 and allows the pails 20 to be gradually lowered. This lowering movement of the pails 20 moves the valves 43 through the connections 44, 46 and 47 into positions to close the ports 41 and cut off further discharge of milk therethrough. The raising movement of the weight-equipped ends of the levers 22 cam the latches 29 out of the path of movement of said levers and permit the same to pass thereby. After the levers 22 have passed the latches 29, said latches move thereunder and prevent the pails 20 from raising, under the action of the weight 24, when emptied. I,

It is, of course, understood that before the milk is poured into the trough 38, the apparatus is adjusted by means of the toggle links 4 to support the pails 20, when lowered in the desired distance above the floor, for the feeding of the calves therefrom. The weights 24 are also adjusted to weigh the required amount of milk to be fed to each calf. While the apparatus illustrated can only feed two calves at a time, it is, of course. understood that the apparatus may be built to carry any desired number of pails. If it is desired to fill only one pail, the other pail may be lowered, before the filling action takes place, by lifting on the weight-equipped end of its lever which carries the same into interlocking engagement with the respective latch 29. This move ment of the pails will operate the respective valve 43 to close its port and prevent a discharge of milk therethrough.

lf more calves are to be fed than the number of pails with which the apparatus is equipped, said pails or part thereof may be again filled by turning the crank 34 to move the latches 29 into inoperative positions, which will release the lever 2 and,

allow the pails 20 to rise, under the action of the weights 24. This movement of the pails 20 will again open the valves 43 and allow the filling process of the pails to again take place, as previously described. If there is more milk in the trough 38 than is required to feed the calves, the valve 49 is operated to open the port 48, for the discharge of the milk into the trough 49. From the trough 39, the milk flows through the spout 52 and into a receptacle, not shown, provided for catching the milk.

After the feeding has taken place, the

pails 20 may be emptied and cleansed by releasing the pawl 18 and turning the frame 13 upside down by means of the crank 16. Or, if desired, the pails 20 may be independently removed by releasing the latches 27 lNhen the apparatus is not in use, the same may be lifted into a position where the same is out of the way, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3, by releasing the latches 12 to permit the counterweight 6 to buckle the links 4. After the apparatus is lifted out of the way, the counterweight 6 will hold the same where set.

Meal or dry food to be fed to the calves is placed in the trough 54. By manipulating the lever 62, the said trough may be released so that the same may be turned upside down, for the purpose of emptying and cleansing the same. When the apparatus is not in use, the trough 54 may be suspended therefrom or it may be turned into a position over the pails 20, both of these positions being indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3.

What I claim is 1. In a stock feeding apparatus, the combination with a support, of an arm and toggle links having their inner ends pivoted to said support, the outer ends of said arm and toggle links being pivotally connected, a latch adjustably connecting the members of the toggle links, and a receptacle pivotally supported from said arm.

2. In a stock feeding apparatus, the combination with a support, of an arm and toggle links having their inner ends pivoted to said support, the outer ends of said arm and toggle links being pivotally connected, a latch adjustably connecting the members of the toggle links, a receptacle pivotally supported from said arm, and a counterweight tending to buckle the toggle links.

3. In a stock feeding apparatus, the combination with a support, of an arm and toggle links having their inner ends pivoted to said support, a latch adjustably connecting the outer ends of the toggle links to the arm, a latch adjustably connecting the members of the toggle links, and a receptacle pivot= ally supported from said arm.

4. In a stock-feeding apparatus, the combination with a pair of arms, of a counter- W s d t g e link supp rting sai arms In testimony whereof I afiz; my signature in different positions, a frame pivotally mounted on said arms, a drinking receptacle mounted on the frame, and means for adjust-ing the frame with respect to the arms to keep the drinking receptacle in a horizontal position.

Y'Vitnesses SIMON BODEMS, JACOB THULEN.

Copies 6;? this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissiomet oi Eatents, Washington, 0. 

